Stringing device for making confections.



T. KIHLGREN.

STRINGING DEVICE FOR MAKING CONF ECTIONS. APPLICATION FlLED SEPT.23 190s.

Patepted Jan. 2, 1917.

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T. KIHLGREN.

smmeme DEVICE FOR 'MAKING comrecnons.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 23. I908- Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

unl l l hfll l l l l l l lflHV UWHHMN wgk w WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY.

THEODOR KIHLGBEN, OF SPRINGFIELD,

MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO NATIONAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSA- CHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

STBINGING DEVICE FOR MAKING CONFECTIONS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Jan, 2, 1917,

Application filed September 23, 1908. Serial No. 454,422,

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THEODOR KIHLGRnN, a citizen of the United States of America,

residing at Springfield, in the county of upon pieces of candy or like articles as they are carried beneath the receptacle. Themovement of the receptacle over the candies in a horizontal plane and at an angle to the movement of the candies under the receptacle will result in laying the string or ridge of decorating material in the same manner as if the two movements were compounded, and the resultant movement were given to the receptacle alone. Thus, if the receptacle is given either a circular movement or a straight line movement across the line of movement of the candies, various decorative effects will result.

The invention broadl consists in providing'a suitable receptac e forholding semiliquid chocolate or like pasty material and having an orifice in the lower portion thereof for its escape, and mounting in the "receptacle an improved agitating member as more particularly set forth in the annexed claims at or near-the outlet opening operable to efiect the expulsion of the material in a string for decorative purposes and prevent any clogging of the outlet, and means to move the receptacle in a curved and substantially horizontal path or reciprocate it in a straight substantially horizontal path, the invention being particularly characterized in the provision of said agitating member operable continuously while the receptacle moves in either path to insure the continuous expulsion of a decorating string to be laid in accordance with the movement of the receptacle.

A further object of the invention is to provide amachine having the aforesaid improved features of construction and arranged to lay the decorating string emitted from the outlet of the receptacle onto goods .carried by a moving conveyer whereby the configuration or form of the decoration depends both on the movement of the conveyer and the movement of the receptacle. A well-known machine having a conveyer for goods which'may be decorated by the machine embodying the present invention is illustrated in the patent to. Magniez No. 735,890, August 11,1903, or Carlson No. 717,970, January 6, 1903.

Various specific objects of the invention will be brought out in the detailed description and thendefined in the claims forming a part 'of this specification.

This invention is designed to apply to or decorate the confections with a single line only of chocolate, or other Semi-liquid material, and is not intended to entirely cover or flood the confections.

Referring briefly to the drawings forming apart of this application,Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the axis. of

the rotating member. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on' the line 22, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View showing the means for imparting axial movement to the rotating member during the rotation of the same, .Figp i is a transverse sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is aplan view of means for'holding a series of machines and for imparting a reciprocating or circular motion thereto. Fig. 6 is a side view of the same partially in section. Figs. 7 and'8 show difierent forms in which the chocolate is left on the tops of the moving chocolates.

Referring now in detail to the various figures of the drawing,a designates the barrel portion of the receptacle for holding the liquid chocolate designated at b,-this receptacle being provided with an arm 6 for the purpose of securing the same to a suitable support as shown at 0. A hopper or an inlet opening for the introduction of the liquid chocolate into the receptacle a is shown at d. Secured to the bottom of the barrel on is a plate e that is provided with an aperture 7 in its lower portion for permitting the escape of the chocolate from the are two vertical members and a web or .disk element is, shown in Fig. 3, whichiconnects the upper end of these members. This web is internally threaded, as shown at m, for the purpose of receiving an adjusta'ble nut n, the upper surface of which is rovided with elevations and depressions o orming in effect an undulating or wavy surface, the purpose .of which will be referred to shortly. The lock-nut p is carried or mounted on the threaded portion of the adjustable nut n, the purpose of which is tok adjustably lock the nut Win the mem-v 1' designates a shaft provided with a screw "8 thereon at its lower portion, but the diameter of which screw is less than the internal diameter of the barrel a. .The lower portion of the rotatable shaft r is'made conical and is also rovided with grooves o therein, and the ower portion t being arranged in the conical portion 9 of the plate e, as clearly shown. The upper portion of the shaft 1', asshown at w, has mounted thereon a disk-shaped member a: which is secured thereto by means of the set screw 3 The under surface of this member as is provided with elevations 2 that are adapted" to contact with the elevations and depression 0 of the member n, whereby when the shaft r is rotating by means of a suitable pulley 2 and a belt 3, or any equivalent means, so that a reciprocating motion will be simultaneously imparted thereto, the two move ments will cause the liquid chocolate to be forced downward through the orifice f in a continuous and uniform stream that will fall onto the upper surface of the creams 4 which are carried below the orifice f on a moving belt or conveyer 5, as shown at 6.

In order to constantly maintain the diskshaped member an and the nut n in engagement with each other, I provide a coiled spring 8 that encirclesthe upper portion of the shaft 1' and is located between the memher 9 and the pulley 2, and also to permit this reciprocation or vertical up and down movement of the shaft 1', the set-screw 9 of the pulley 2 engages a groove or spline 10 in the portion w of the shaft.

The upper end of the barrel a is closed by means of a plate 11, and a pipe 12 serves as a means for supplying a suitable heating medium to the chamber 2'.

Referring briefly now to the operation of my improved chocolatestringingmachine,

it being understood that the chocolate has "been placed in the receptacle a and the shaft rotating as described: The reciprocating and rotary movement that is imparted thereto will cause the chocolate to flow in a steady and uniform stream through the aperture f downward onto the creams 4.

tation of the nut n in the member I: will raise or lower the screw, and the lock-nut p which is provided with suitable openings 13 willefiectively maintain the vertical position of the rotating member.

' It will herefore be seen that I have produced a very simple and eflicient device for accomplishingthe objects above set forth.

Refer-ring now to the construction of the means for lmpartin' various motions to the stream of flowing c ocolate, whereby as the stream strikes the confections that are moving in a horizontal direction under the stringing machines, a Wavy, zigzag or other shaped .line or strin left thereon, depen 'ng upon the adjustment of the retaining means for the stringing machines.

15'designates in general outlines a rectangular frame or casting in which are 1ocat ed the shafts or spindles r in the bored out or recessed portion 16, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. Immediately above the recesses 16 is a trough-shaped portion 17 for receivingthe liquid chocolate or other semi fluid or pasty material that is to be fed downward onto the confections 4 (see Fig. 6). The drive-shaft for the series of spindles r is designated at 18, on-the upper end of which is mounted a gear 19 which meshes with an intermediate gear 20 that in turn meshes with the gear 21 on the upper end of the first spindle a", and this gear, in turn, meshes with and drives the gear 22 that is mounted on the upper end of the next spindle, and so on throughout the series of spindles, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The gears 19 and 20 are held in their positions by means of the casting or double arm construction 23 which also affords a bearing element for the upper end of the drive-shaft 18, as shown at 24.

25 designates a framework for supporting the rectangular chocolatecarrying receptacle 15.

26 designates an eccentric strap piece having an opening 27 in one end thereof which of chocolate may be is concentric with the bolt 28 which secures the piece-26 to the rectangular frame 15.

29 designates a bolt or stud which has a screw-threaded connection with the frame 15 and passes through the opening 27 whereby the eccentric strap piece 26 may be rigidly secured to the frame 15.

30 designates an eccentric that is located in the opening 31 of the'eccentric strap piece 26 and is secured to the shaft 18 by means of the pin 32. At the opposite end of the frame 15 is a second eccentric strap piece 33, and shaft 34 carrying an eccentric 35, the shafts 18 and 34 being geared together and therefore 0 erating in unison. When the shafts 18 an 34 are operated the eccentrics 30 and 35 will cause the frame 15 to move in a circular path, and when the chocolate is flowing from the orifice f, as shown in Fig. 6, it will be deposited on the confections 4 in the manner shown in Fig. 7. The movement of the frame 15 may be varied by clamping the eccentric strap piece 26 in various positions by means of the bolt 29 and its companior bolt 36 in the piece 33.

If it is desired to deposit the stream of chocolate in the path shown in Fig. 8, it is only necessary to loosen the bolts 29 and 36 when the frame 15 will have simply a reciprocating movement imparted thereto by means of the eccentrics 30 and 35. In order to guide the frame 15 in its,.reciprocating movements, bars or rods 37 and 38 are placed on the frame 25 and temporarily held in place by means of the pins 39 (see Fig. 5). The opening 40 for the drive-shaft 18 in the frame 15 permits the frame to reciprocate as readily understood.

It will be observed that the belt and pulley construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is replaced in the above modifications by the series of gears mentioned.

It should be stated that when the bolt 29 is loosened, the yoke-shaped member simply oscillates on the stud 28. In order to permit the rectangular frame 15 to move as above described in either a straight line or in a circular path, the intermediate gear 20 travels or rolls on the gears 19 and 21, and in order to permit this rolling movement coincident with the movementsof the frame 15, a second arm 42 is pivotally connected to the arm 23 by means of the pin 43 (see Fig. 6) whereby the arms 23 and 42 will move with relation to each other on the pin 43 during the movements of the frame, as readily understood.

Having explained the principle of my machine and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, what I claim, is

1. A chocolate stringing machine having in combination a receptacle for containing liquid chocolate, a member located therein, and means for continuously and simultaneously imparting a rotating and a reciprocating movement to said member, as described, the means for imparting the reciprocating movement to said member being independent of the action of the chocolate contained in the receptacle.

2, A chocolate stringing machine having in combination with a receptacle therefor which is provided with an opening for the delivery of the chocolate, a rotating member located therein, means associated with the rotating member for imparting a reciprocating movement thereto, said means comprising a nut provided with a wavy upper surface and an element carried by the rotated member having interengaging devices for engaging the wavy surface of the nut,

and means for maintaining the said surface and the devices carried by the element in contact, as described.

3. A machine for controlling the flow of pasty material, in combination, a receptacle having a conical-shaped opening therein, a rotatable shaft provided with a grooved end located in the opening, and means for rotating the shaft whereby clogging of the opening is prevented, and means for imparting a reciprocating movement to the shaft, said shaft having a spiral or screw mounted thereon and rotating in the pasty material, whereby the material may 'be forced through the opening as described.

4. A machine for stringing pasty material- ,having in combination a. receptacle therefor provided with an outlet opening, and means for imparting to the receptacle a reciprocating movement and a feed screw located in the receptacle, and continuously operable driving means to rotate the feed screw during the movement of the receptacle.

5. A chocolate stringing or decorating machine comprising a receptacle for containing the material, and having an outlet in the lower portion thereof, a member provided with a screw for expelling the material, and means for reciprocating the receptacle in a line transversely to the line of movement of confections to be decorated.

6. In a chocolate stringing machine, a receptacle for the semi-liquid chocolate having a suitable discharge opening, a member loin combination with a receptacle for containing said material, the receptacle .having a discharge orlfice, means comprising a feed-.

screw having grooves and located in the discharge orifice, substantially as described.

9. The combination, in a chocolate stringing machine, a receptacle having an outlet orifice, a feed-screw located in the receptacle for expelling the chocolate, means for rotating the same, an adjustable nut provided with a wavy surface, means for locking the nut, and means on the wavy surface of said nut whereby the feed-screw may be re'ciprocated, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a liquid containing receptacle having a conical-shaped discharge orifice, expelling means for the liquid, said means having a conical-shaped end entering the-orifice, and means for imparting a rotary and reciprocating movement thereto, substantially as described.

; 11. In a machine of the kind described, thecombination with a receptacle for containing pasty material, and provided with a discharge orifice in the Wall thereof, a rotary member for forcing the material through the orifice, the orifice having converging walls, and the rotary member being provided with a conically-shaped end portion and extending into the conically shaped space surrounding the orifice, substantially as described.

12. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with a receptacle for containing pasty' material and provided with a discharge orifice in the wall thereof, a rotary; member for forcing the material through the orifice, the orifice having converging walls, and the rotary member being provided with a conically-shaped end portion and extending into the conically shaped space surrounding the orifice, and means for reciprocating said rotary member, substantially as described.

13. In a machine of the kind described,

the combination with a receptacle for containing pasty material and provided with a discharge orifice. in the wall thereof a rotary member for forcing the material through the orifice, the orifice having converging walls, and the rotary member being provided with a conically shaped end portion and extending into the conically shaped space surrounding the orifice, means for reciprocating said rotary member, and means for imparting a reciprocating movement to the receptacle, substantially as described,

14. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with a receptacle for containing pasty material, and provided with a discharge orifice in the wall thereof, a rotary member for forcing the material through the orifice, the orifice having converging walls, and the rotary member'being provided with a conically shaped end portion and extending into the conically shaped space surrounding the orifice, means for reciprocating said rotary member,and means for imparting a circular movement to the receptacle.

15. A stringing or decorating machine, comprising, a receptacle for the material and having an outlet opening in the lower portion thereof, a member arranged in the receptacle and adapted to enter said outlet opening, and means to rapidly vibrate said member through a small amplitude in said her and walls and thereby expelled through the orifice in a continuous string.

17. A candy decorating machine, comprising, a frame, a receptacle for the material having a series of small orifices in the bottom portion thereof, means to agitate the material at or near said orifices, a cam ar-- ranged in the frame adjacent each end of the receptacle and means connected to the receptacleoperable by said cams to movethe' receptacle in a curved path, said last-mentioned means being adjustable to vary the action of the cams and thus the movement of the receptacle.

THEODOR KIHLGREN. Witnesses:

K. MQN H. W. BOWEN. 

